Capping device for conduit connector

Abstract

A capping device for covering the access port of a conduit connector includes a first cap having a downwardly extending skirt and an access opening through which a bronchoscope, catheter or other small diameter medical device may be inserted. The skirt includes an inwardly extending rim around its internal surface which detachably snaps over a lip around the access port. The access opening is selectively sealable by a second cap that is tethered to the first cap by a flexible tether strap. The second cap also incudes a downwardly extending skirt including an inwardly extending rim around its internal surface which detachably snaps over a lip around the first cap. The capping device further includes a flexible anchor strap extending from the first cap which snaps onto a knob on the connector, thereby retaining the capping device on the connector when not in use.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A combination of a conduit connector and a capping device; the conduit connector having three inlets leading to a common passageway within said conduit connector, one of said inlets comprising an access port for providing access from outside said conduit connector to said common passageway; and the capping device comprising:   a first cap for covering and sealing said access port of said conduit connector; the first cap having an access opening therethrough which allows access to said common passageway within said conduit connector without removing said first cap from said conduit connector; wherein said first cap is selectively removable form said conduit connector;   a second cap for selectively sealing said access opening of said first cap;   a flexible tether strap connecting said second cap with said first cap; and   a flexible anchor strap extending from said first cap; said anchor strap having means at one end for detachably snap-engaging said anchor strap with said conduit connector to selectively anchor said capping device to said conduit connector;   wherein said conduit connector includes a first lip extending peripherally outward from said access port of said conduit connector; and   wherein said first cap includes:   a first cover portion for extending across said access port of said conduit connector; and   a first continuous skirt portion extending from said first cover portion and terminating in a first inwardly projecting rim; said first rim being detachably snap-engageable with said first lip of said access port of said conduit connector to form a sealing fit between said first cap and said conduit connector.   
     
     
       2. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said conduit connector further includes an outwardly projecting knob to which said anchor strap is detachably snap-engageable. 
     
     
       3. A combination according to claim 2, wherein said knob includes an enlarged head portion which is connected to said conduit connector by a neck member; and wherein said anchor strap is rotatable perpendicularly about said neck member when said anchor strap is snap-engaged with said knob. 
     
     
       4. A combination according to claim 3, wherein said snap-engaging means of said anchor strap comprises a keeper opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said head portion of said knob. 
     
     
       5. A combination according to claim 2, wherein said knob is adjacent said access port. 
     
     
       6. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said first cap includes a second lip extending peripherally outward from said first cover portion; and wherein said second cap includes: a second cover portion comprising an upper portion of said second cap;   a second continuous skirt portion extending from said second cover portion and terminating in a third inwardly projecting rim; said third rim being detachably snap-engageable with said second lip of said first cap to form a sealing fit between said second cap and said first cap; and   a plug fitting provided on the lower surface of said second cover portion.   
     
     
       7. A capping device according to claim 6, wherein said plug fitting has a diameter larger than the diameter of said access opening; and has a depth slightly greater than the distance between the lower surface of said second cover portion of said second cap and the upper surface of said membrane of said first cap, when said second cap is engaged with said first cap. 
     
     
       8. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said first skirt portion of said first cap includes a second inwardly projecting rim that is parallel with said first rim; said second rim extending around the internal surface of said first skirt portion and being spaced away from said first cover portion; said second rim further providing a sealing fit between said first cap and said conduit connector. 
     
     
       9. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said capping device is formed in one-piece of a flexible material. 
     
     
       10. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said anchor strap is substantially shorter than said tether strap. 
     
     
       11. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said anchor strap is less flexible than said tether strap. 
     
     
       12. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said conduit connector is T-shaped. 
     
     
       13. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said second cap further includes a pull tab. 
     
     
       14. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said access opening is about 3-4 mm in diameter. 
     
     
       15. A capping device for covering an access port of a conduit connector; wherein said conduit connector includes a first lip extending peripherally outward from said access port, and further includes an outwardly projecting knob;   the capping device comprising:   a first cap for selectively sealing said access port of said conduit connector, said first cap having a first cover portion for extending across said access port of said conduit connector, said first cover portion having an access opening extending therethrough which allows access to inside said conduit connector without removing said first cap from said conduit connector;   a first continuous skirt portion extending from said first cover portion, said first skirt portion having a first inwardly projecting rim which extends around an internal surface of said first skirt portion and which is spaced away from said first cover portion, wherein said first rim is detachably snap-engageable with said first lip of said conduit connector to form a sealing fit between said first cap and said conduit connector; and   a second lip extending peripherally outward form said first cover portion;   a second cap for selectively sealing said access opening of said first cover portion of said first cap; said second cap having a second cover portion comprising an upper portion of said second cap;   a second continuous skirt portion extending from said second cover portion, said second skirt portion having a second inwardly projecting rim which extends around an internal surface of said second skirt portion and which is spaced away from said second cover portion, wherein said second rim is detachably snap-engageable with said second lip of said first cap to form a sealing fit between said second cap and said first cap; and   a plug fitting provided on the lower surface of said second cover portion;   a flexible tether strap connecting said first cap with said second cap; and   a flexible anchor strap extending from said first cap, said anchor strap having means at one end for detachably snap-engaging said anchor strap with said knob of said conduit connector to selectively anchor said capping device to said conduit connector;   wherein said first skirt portion of said first cap includes a third inwardly projecting rim that is parallel with said first rim, said third rim extending around the internal surface of said first skirt portion and being spaced away from said first cover portion; said third rim further providing a sealing fit between said first cap and aid conduit connector.   
     
     
       16. A capping device according to claim 15, wherein said capping device is formed in one-piece of a flexible material. 
     
     
       17. A capping device according to claim 15, wherein said knob is adjacent said access port of said conduit connector. 
     
     
       18. A capping device according to claim 15, wherein said anchor strap is substantially shorter than said tether strap. 
     
     
       19. A capping device according to claim 15, wherein said anchor strap is less flexible than said tether strap. 
     
     
       20. A capping device according to claim 15, wherein said second cap further includes a pull tab. 
     
     
       21. A capping device according to claim 15, wherein said access opening is about 3-4 mm in diameter. 
     
     
       22. A capping device for covering an access port of a conduit connector; wherein said conduit connector includes a first lip extending peripherally outward from said access port, and further includes an outwardly projecting knob;   the capping device comprising:   a first cap for selectively sealing said access port of said conduit connector, said first cap having a first cover portion for extending across said access port of said conduit connector, said first cover portion having an access opening extending therethrough which allows access to inside said conduit connector without removing said first cap from said conduit connector;   a first continuous skirt portion extending form said first cover portion, said first skirt portion having a first inwardly projecting rim which extends around an internal surface of said first skirt portion and which is spaced away from said first cover portion, wherein said first rim is detachably snap-engageable with said first lip of said conduit connector to form a sealing fit between said first cap and said conduit connector; and   a second lip extending peripherally outward from said first cover portion;   a second cap for selectively sealing said access opening of said first cover portion of said first cap; said second cap having a second cover portion comprising an upper portion of said second cap;   a second continuous skirt portion extending from said second cover portion, said second skirt portion having a second inwardly projecting rim which extends around an internal surface of said second skirt portion and which is spaced away from said second cover portion, wherein said second rim is detachably snap-engageable with said second lip of said first cap to form a sealing fit between said second cap and said first cap; and   a plug fitting provided on the lower surface of said second cover portion;   a flexible tether strap connecting said first cap with said second cap; and   a flexible anchor strap extending from said first cap, said anchor strap having means at one end for detachably snap-engaging said anchor strap with said knob of said conduit connector to selectively anchor said capping device to said conduit connector wherein said knob includes an enlarged head portion which is connected to said conduit connector by a neck member; and wherein said anchor strap is rotatable perpendicularly about said neck member when said anchor strap is snap-engaged with said knob; and wherein said snap-engaging means of said anchor strap comprises a keeper opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said head portion of said knob.   
     
     
       23. A capping device for covering an access port of a conduit connector; wherein said conduit connector includes a first lip extending peripherally outward from said access port, and further includes an outwardly projecting knob;   the capping device comprising:   a first cap for selectively sealing said access port of said conduit connector, said first cap having a first cover portion for extending across said access port of said conduit connector, said first cover portion having an access opening extending therethrough which allows access to inside said conduit connector without removing said first cap from said conduit connector;   a first continuous skirt portion extending form said first cover portion, said first skirt portion having a first inwardly projecting rim which extends around an internal surface of said first skirt portion and which is spaced away from said first cover portion, wherein said first rim is detachably snap-engageable with said first lip of said conduit connector to form a sealing fit between said first cap and said conduit connector; and   a second lip extending peripherally outward from said first cover portion;   a second cap for selectively sealing said access opening of said first cover portion of said first cap; said second cap having a second cover portion comprising an upper portion of said second cap;   a second continuous skirt portion extending from said second cover portion, said second skirt portion having a second inwardly projecting rim which extends around an internal surface of said second skirt portion and which is spaced away from said second cover portion, wherein said second rim is detachably snap-engageable with said second lip of said first cap to form a sealing fit between said second cap and said first cap; and   a plug fitting provided on the lower surface of said second cover portion;   a flexible tether strap connecting said first cap with said second cap; and   a flexible anchor strap extending from said first cap, said anchor strap having means at one end for detachably snap-engaging said anchor strap with said knob of said conduit connector to selectively anchor said capping device to said conduit connector;   wherein said plug fitting has a diameter larger than the diameter of said access opening; and has a depth slightly greater than the distance between the lower surface of said second cover portion of said second cap and the upper surface of said membrane of said first cap, when said second cap is engaged with said first cap.